Chargers' Anthony Lynn on Austin Ekeler: 'He is a productive runner'

Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler showed everyone on Sunday why the team opted to move forward with him before the regular-season opener instead of veteran Kenjon Barner.

Ekeler, an undrafted rookie out of Western State Colorado, put together a solid preseason resume and showed the Bolts coaching staff the explosion he can provide.

It was on display in the team’s 26-24 loss on Sunday to the Philadelphia Eagles, when Ekeler broke out a 35-yard touchdown run on his first and only handoff for the game. For rookie coach Anthony Lynn, Ekeler’s performance on Sunday could earn him more snaps moving forward.

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“We wanted to get him in the game and see what he could do, and he is a productive runner,” Lynn said during media availability after Sunday’s contest. “He was productive all preseason, and it didn’t matter what group we put him in with, he moved the chains.”

Ekeler finished with two receptions for 23 yards against Philly, which was the third-highest total for the team on Sunday.

Against a banged up Philadelphia defense, Ekeler took advantage of the opportunities he was given. He could easily parlay that into more snaps at running back in the upcoming weeks, especially with Melvin Gordon still nicked up with a bad knee.